LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Interstat) — Florida International visits New Mexico State on Thursday at 6 p.m. MDT at Presley Askew Field in a Conference USA series opener. The forecast calls for 88-degree temperatures with clouds.

The Golden Panthers (17-34) seek to snap a three-game losing streak in the first of a three-game set against the Aggies (17-32). An Interstat game simulator projects a 4-1 Florida International victory.

Florida International pitcher Jordan Vargas is a key player to watch. The right-hander tossed 4.1 innings of two-hit ball with one earned run and six strikeouts in a 10-2 win over Middle Tennessee on May 10. Over his last eight appearances spanning 12.2 innings, Vargas has a 5.68 ERA with 14 strikeouts but has allowed three earned runs in his last two outings.

For New Mexico State, outfielder Easton Rulli anchors the lineup. In the Aggies’ 12-6 loss at New Mexico on Tuesday, Rulli went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Over his last five games, he is 6-for-18 with two homers and five RBIs.

Florida International is coming off a 10-2 win over Middle Tennessee on Sunday. First baseman Aidan Cohall went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs, and shortstop Mario Trivella added a homer and two RBIs.

New Mexico State has lost four straight and six of its last seven. The Aggies’ Bradyn Barnes tossed four scoreless innings with two earned runs in the New Mexico loss, and third baseman Chris Daniels homered.

The Golden Panthers have lost seven of their last nine. Their pitching staff has allowed 10 or more runs in three of those nine games.

The series continues with games Friday and Saturday. Both teams sit near the bottom of the Conference USA standings, making this a critical matchup for momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.